The Pole Dance Problem

An Article from a pole dancer, describing the connotations associated with pole dancing and why it should be celebrated.

Have you ever wondered about taking up dancing? Have you ever seen people who dance look so graceful and think, "Hey, I want to do that too?" Well, if that is the case, you aren't alone. In fact, I myself had been thinking for years that I had wanted to dance, but ballet didn't suit me and I wasn't "cool" enough to pull off hip-hop. And that's when it hit me; why not Pole Dancing?

Now, I understand that when someone says Pole Dancing, thoughts turn to strip clubs and working street corners, but that is just a prejudiced way of looking at this art form. Pole Dancing, as a sport, an art, a culture, is a hobby that requires practice, strength, and skill, and will leave you feeling happy and empowered for the most part. My first thoughts on this sport were, I'll admit, a bit prejudiced as well. I didn't want to be called "loose" or a stripper, but it was something that I really wanted to do, I mean, look at the grace and beauty of some of those moves!

But pole dancing gets a bad name because of its use in clubs and culture to describe women who are "slutty". So, here is a list of things about Pole Dancing that go against the stereotypes:

1. Men do pole too. In fact, they can be ten times more graceful than female dancers because they tend to have the natural strength to be able to focus on that sort of thing.

2. Pole Dancing is far from easy. It requires a lot of upper body and core strength. It also is incredibly strenuous, and will leave bruises all over you, especially if you are like me and bruise like a peach. Be prepared for lots of questions on if you're ok or not.

Via pinterest.com

3. No matter what people say about pole dancing, it isn't restricted to age groups, body types. sexualities or strengths. Pole Dancing is for whoever wants to feel empowered and incredible who has the diligence to work their asses off to reach their goals. Like, superman, for example.

Via dailymail.co.uk

4. People may say that by letting young children, male or female, do pole dancing, you are influencing them to grow up into "bad people". There was a contrevorsy over this not that long ago, but here are the facts: Pole Dancing will not make your children grow up to be strippers, it will not make your sons "turn gay", and none of those sort of excuses are reasonable if your child wants to pole dance. In the long run, it will help them to be much stronger, healthier people.

6. In Asia, Pole Dancing has been used for centuries as a way of entertainment in circuses and fitness, for example, in India, over 800 years ago, wrestlers were using the pole for training and came up with a sport using the pole based on yoga which tested agility, flexibility, strength and co-ordination.

7. Pole Dancing gives lots of men and women a boost in confidence. You may have low self esteem, but when you realise that your body can do incredible things, you start to love your imperfections instead of hating them.

8. Pole Dancing is physically strenuous and will leave your body aching after your first few classes, but it really builds muscle and, though you may not want to "bulk up", this will allow you to do the most amazing things, and show off whenever you see a stop sign! Also, Pole Dancing is in the process of being put into the Olympics, which just shows how intense it is.

Oh, and just to end off:

9. Pole Dancing is whatever you want it to be. It doesn't have to be sexy, it doesn't have to be sporty. Just do whatever you want to and have fun!